Manchester Jazz Festival

Manchester is easily accessible by air and rail. Manchester Airport (MAN), a major international hub, lies about 13 km (8 miles) south of the city centre and offers direct flights around the globe. Frequent trains run between Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly Station in about 15–20 minutes, making it quick to reach the city after landing. Manchester’s main rail stations (Piccadilly and Oxford Road) connect to all parts of the UK: London can be reached in around 2 hours by high-speed train, and routes from cities like Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh arrive throughout the day. The city is also served by intercity coach lines (National Express, Megabus, etc.) at the coach station near Piccadilly Gardens.

By road, Manchester is well-connected. The M60 orbital motorway encircles the city and branches to the M6 (north toward the Lake District and Scotland, south toward the Midlands) and M62 (east to Leeds and the North East, west to Liverpool), as well as spurs to the M56 (heading southwest toward Chester, North Wales and Manchester Airport). Traffic can be heavy during rush hours, so allow extra travel time. Central Manchester has numerous public car parks (many are pay-and-display) and metered street parking, though spaces can fill up quickly.

Getting around Manchester itself is straightforward. The Metrolink tram network links key areas – central stops like Piccadilly, Victoria, St Peter’s Square and Deansgate connect to suburbs including Salford Quays (MediaCity), Altrincham and Bury. An extensive bus network covers the rest of the city; some inner-city routes even offer free rides on Bee Network shuttles. Contactless payment and day-pass tickets work across both trams and buses, making hop-on-hop-off travel simple. The city centre is compact, so many festival venues are within walking distance of each other, and local taxis or bike rentals are also available.

Accommodation in Manchester ranges from luxury hotels and serviced apartments to friendly guesthouses, cosy B&Bs and hostels. Many visitors stay in the city centre (areas like Spinningfields, Deansgate or the Northern Quarter) for easy access to dining and nightlife. For a more residential feel, consider neighbourhoods such as Didsbury, Chorlton or Sale, which have charming lodgings and are a short tram or taxi ride into town. During busy times, including festival season, it’s wise to book your stay in advance to ensure you get the best rates and location.